Sometimes, pictures speak louder than words. The beautifully spun yarns and thoughtfully photographed fiber-inspired cards from North Loop Yarn only need to be seen (and touched, and touched!) to be believed. Here are some gorgeous things you might want to curl up with in the middle of winter for a knitting, crocheting or crewel project:

Fingering/Sock Weight Yarn in "Little Boy Blue" by North Loop Yarn

Silk Lace Yarn in "Canopy" by North Loop Yarn

Silky Alpaca Worsted Weight in "Leaf Litter" by North Loop Yarn

Yes, oh yes. While we’re finishing up the three simultaneous knitting projects we’re working on here at The Big Chill headquarters, we’ll be dreaming of all the pretty new things we can buy on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am to 4pm at the Mayo Street Arts Center, 10 Mayo St., Portland, Maine. Lovely!

Not a knitter? Don't do the crochet? Sending colorful greetings to those who are works, too!

Ok, duders! Time for some jewelry! Surprisingly, we had very few jewelry applications this year. One of them came from the wonderful Bethany of Sweet Sincerity jewelry, located way up there in Bangor, ME. In advance: thanks for driving down to see us, Bethany!!

The beadwork of earrings, bracelets and necklaces at Sweet Sincerity have always been fancy, ornate, and colorful – and just this year Bethany has been learning jewelry smithing, adding an entirely new dimension to the products she offers. Sweet Sincerity is on Facebook – click here to go to the page and “like” it!

Bethany is intense, like the jewelry at Sweet Sincerity!

Bethany answered some of our “Big Chill” questions, here are her answers!:

The Big Chill: What is the first sign of winter, in your opinion?

Sweet Sincerity: When I stop shaving my legs, comforted by the knowledge that they will not see the light of day for the next 7 months…

TBC: What items from Sweet Sincerity will keep people happy throughout the dark days of winter?

SS: I hope that the thought of the Sweet Sincerity Jewelry they know they are wearing somewhere under the layers of long johns, mittens, sweaters and scarves will warm their little hearts!

TBC: What’s your favorite winter comfort food?

SS: Tea and cream-filled cupcakes. Or tequila.

Us, too! Join Bethany from Sweet Sincerity for some salt, lime and tequila (ok, not really) at The Big Chill arts, crafts and vintage sale on Saturday, December 3rd at the Mayo Street Arts Center in Portland. Yes!

Fantastico!

Our Big Chill poster has arrived, via the talented Kris Johnsen and Meagan Anderson, and we are loving it just as much as our Big Thaw poster last April! Looks like the bunnies have crept out of the brush from the Spring poster and have been joined by some other woodland friends. We are making a limited edition run of 100 Big Chill posters, some of which will be for sale in my Etsy shop as soon as they’re available. Pins and magnets featuring the characters in the artwork will also be available the day of The Big Chill.

If you’re craving some other print-y creations from Kris Johnsen, never fear: he’s one of our vendors and also sells his work at amazing, new, Pinecone + Chickadee on Free St. in downtown Portland.